South African athlete Oscar Pistorius became the first double-amputee sprinter to compete in the Olympic Games, running in the men’s 400-meter heat in London. His participation marked a milestone in Paralympic and Olympic inclusion.
📍 London, United Kingdom
Barack Obama, who became the first African American President of the United States in 2009, was born in Honolulu. His presidency marked a historic milestone in American politics and civil rights history.
📍 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Billy Bob Thornton, Academy Award-winning actor, screenwriter, and director best known for *Sling Blade* and *Monster's Ball*, was born. He gained acclaim for his performances and distinctive Southern voice.
📍 Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States
William S. Burroughs Jr., son of Beat Generation writer William S. Burroughs and an author in his own right, was born. He wrote autobiographical novels influenced by addiction and counterculture.
📍 Conroe, Texas, United States
Anne Frank wrote her final diary entry on this day before the secret annex was raided by the Gestapo. She and her family were arrested and later deported to concentration camps.
📍 Amsterdam, Netherlands
John Venn, British mathematician who created the Venn diagram to illustrate logical relationships, died. His diagrams are still widely used in mathematics, logic, and data science.
📍 Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
Marie Curie arrived in the United States to receive a gram of radium funded by American women. The tour highlighted Curie's contributions to science and the international recognition of her research in radioactivity.
📍 New York City, United States
Helen Thomas, pioneering American journalist who broke gender barriers as a White House correspondent covering 10 U.S. presidents, was born. She became known for her tough questions and advocacy for press freedom.
📍 Winchester, Kentucky, United States
After Germany invaded Belgium, the United Kingdom declared war on Germany, officially entering World War I. This marked a major escalation, bringing the British Empire and its global colonies into the conflict.
📍 London, United Kingdom
Louis Armstrong, one of the most influential jazz musicians in history, was born. His innovative trumpet playing and gravelly voice transformed American music and earned him global acclaim.
📍 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, later known as Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, was born. As the wife of King George VI and mother of Queen Elizabeth II, she became a beloved figure in British royal history.
📍 London, England, United Kingdom
Percy Spencer, American engineer who invented the microwave oven while working with radar technology, was born. His accidental discovery revolutionized cooking and home appliances globally.
📍 Howland, Maine, United States
Washington Irving Bishop, an American mentalist known for his controversial performances and disputes with spiritualists, died under mysterious circumstances after a stage collapse.
📍 New York City, United States
Queen Mary of Teck, wife of King George V and grandmother to Queen Elizabeth II, was born. She played a crucial role in the continuity and modernization of the British monarchy during turbulent times.
📍 Kensington Palace, London, United Kingdom
Hans Christian Ørsted, who discovered the relationship between electricity and magnetism, died. His work laid the foundation for the field of electromagnetism and influenced major advancements in physics.
📍 Copenhagen, Denmark
The Treaty of Amritsar was signed between the British East India Company and Maharaja Gulab Singh, solidifying British control over Kashmir and transferring significant power in the region.
📍 Amritsar, Punjab, India
Louis Vuitton, French entrepreneur who founded the iconic fashion and luggage brand bearing his name, was born. His craftsmanship and innovation in travel goods helped establish one of the world’s most valuable luxury labels.
📍 Anchay, Jura, France
William Rowan Hamilton, Irish mathematician famous for developing quaternions and reformulating classical mechanics, was born. His work significantly influenced physics and algebra.
📍 Dublin, Ireland
Percy Bysshe Shelley, major English Romantic poet known for *Ozymandias* and *Prometheus Unbound*, was born. His radical views and lyrical genius influenced generations of poets and political thinkers.
📍 Horsham, England, United Kingdom
The United States Coast Guard was officially established as the Revenue Marine by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton. It became a key maritime service involved in law enforcement, search and rescue, and national defense.
📍 New York City, New York, United States